About Urban Republic

Born and raised in Nigeria, Urban Republic founder Peter Rhima came to the US after earning his bachelor’s degree. After a few years working behind the scenes in the apparel industry, he was ready to achieve his dream of striking out on his own and forming his own company. But when preparing to launch the first line from Urban Republic, the economic downturn of the last decade attacked: a manufacturer hit hard by the recession had to back out, throwing the entire operation into question. Still, Rhima was determined to survive and thrive, and in 2009, he successfully debuted the first line of premium denim that has come to define Urban Republic.